Important Update on our In-Person Learning Schedule

Dear Parents and Guardians,

When Central submitted its Health and Safety Plan to reopen Central Catholic to the Diocese for approval in early August, we decided to open in a hybrid model. Our goal has always been to reopen fully, and our initial target date for a full reopen was September 21. Two weeks ago, we asked for feedback from local health experts and based on their recommendations, decided to wait two additional weeks to see if there were significant changes in Allegheny County and Central Catholic.

This week, our administrative team talked with the same health experts.  We shared that we have had a number of students who have been tested over the course of a month, and zero tests have come back positive.  Students, faculty, and staff have been following our Health and Safety plan. In Allegheny county, the positivity rate has remained relatively low, and while there have been positive cases in schools, they have not seen a source of spread in the classroom.

On Monday October 5, we will fully reopen, while keeping in place the option for students to be fully online.  We are greatly looking forward to welcoming all of our students safely back to the classroom where they can continue to learn and grow together as one community. Please review the important updates on the schedule below.

Beginning October 5, all students will report to Central Catholic each day, however, we will keep some “pause days” to assist students.  Pause days will occur on the following Wednesdays: October 7, October 21, November 11 and December 9. Please see the updated school calendar here.

Masks and daily health/temperature screenings will continue to be mandatory and will be fully enforced. With students choosing to go fully online, as well as average daily absences, our full daily building occupancy will still be much less than in the past. We will continue to socially distance our classrooms to the best of our ability, and encourage students to spread to various areas of the building or outdoor spaces during lunch or free periods. Our cleaning crew will continue their daily cleaning of high-touch and high-traffic areas.

If your student will transition to fully online instruction, please send me an email no later than Wednesday, September 30.

Please check with your home district regarding transportation and bus occupancy.

This decision is based on the best information we have at this time.  If something changes in Allegheny county and/or Central Catholic, our decision could change based on this new information.  We will be ready to transition between fully online, hybrid, and fully in based on what is best for the health of our students as well as their educational needs.

Thank you for your continued support during these challenging times. When our school year began, many of our students expressed how happy they were to be back with their peers and teachers at Central Catholic. Their commitment to helping us stop the spread and transition back to fully back has shown in their compliance and diligence in mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. I am so impressed and inspired by their dedication. We will continue to balance keeping our students safe while staying dedicated to our mission of educating young men.  

We will keep you informed of any other updates that we may have. As we have all come to know, things can change rapidly, and we are doing the best we can to keep everyone up to date. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Fraternally,

Brother Tony Baginski, FSC
Principal